China and North Korea should further enhance communication and coordination in major international and regional affairs, China’s foreign minister said in a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Friday, a Chinese official statement showed.
– Minister Wang Yi is on a two-day visit to Pyongyang from Thursday that aims to advance ties between the two countries after the COVID-19 pandemic froze exchanges and as North Korea’s Kim shored up relations with Moscow.
– “In the face of a turbulent and complex international situation, China and North Korea should further strengthen communication and coordination on major international and regional affairs,” Wang told Kim, according to a statement from China’s foreign ministry.
– The Chinese diplomat also said China was willing to strengthen exchanges and interactions to promote practical cooperation with North Korea.
– Wang held a meeting with his North Korean counterpart on Thursday and pledged to “continue consolidating the positive momentum in the development” of bilateral ties with Pyongyang.
– Wang’s trip comes as U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to visit China next month. Trump has previously shown interest in resuming talks with North Korea’s Kim.